North Lincs Invitation event at the Humber Yawl Club

This was the second attempt at trying to hold the event as the previous date had been cancelled due to gale force winds. Weather for this rearranged event was a little better with a Force 4-5 Westerly wind, with the wind over tide making for quite a steep chop, particularly in the main shipping channel. Because of the conditions and as few of the visitors had sailed on the Humber before, non had previously sailed a Squib, a navigation race of about 6 miles was set to go around the Island rather than around the cans.

Racing was close with all boats being within a hundred yards of each other on entering the back of the Island which constituted the “Windward Mark”. The reach through the Island channel was a procession but turning for the run home saw boats spreading out looking for the shallows and eddies as they worked their way back to the club against the tide. It was a spectacular ride and view as boats surfed under spinnaker down the steep chop, the first 3 boats being overlapped for most of the run home. Magic Flute (805) eventually winning by 30 yards after 6 miles of Racing from Rebel (234) which was overlapped with Emma (431) on the line. Wonderful racing.

The beaming smile on the faces of our visitors back in the haven was testament to their claims that they had thoroughly enjoyed the sail and one crew that were contemplating are now serious on joining the class as a result.

Final result were;

1.    Magic Flute 805, Andy and Mandy

2.    Rebel 243, Mark and Kevin

3.    Emma 431, Andy and Tony

4.    Alston 837, Richard  and Jim

5.    Privateer 741, Les and Jamie.

Bob Smales, HYC Fleet Captain.